Gazoo Racing GT Cup Asia 2023 Finals Sees Indonesian Rep Reign As Champion

File pic of the Gazoo Racing GT Cup Malaysia 2023 Finals held earlier this year.

One of the region’s biggest e-sport tournaments, the Gazoo Racing GT Cup Asia 2023 Finals, was held right here in Kuala Lumpur last weekend. It saw 15 of the best e-sport sim racers hailing from all over the region battle it out virtually over three challenges, all vying to be crowned as this year’s champion.

The 15 finalist who qualified for this finals had earned their spots as the top national champions of the Gazoo Racing GT Cup e-sport series organised and supported by Toyota. It included competitors from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, as well as Thailand.

For this year’s edition of the regional finals, the competition saw a slight change in format featuring a three one-make race challenges hosted through the Sony Playstation-exclusive Gran Turismo 7 title. The cars used included the GT Supra GR.4, GR Corolla hot hatch, and the GR010 Hybrid Le Mans Hypercar racer.

The recent regional finals tournament was held last weekend right here in Kuala Lumpur and saw 15 Gazoo Racing GT Cup national champions battle it out for the title as regional champion. (File pic)

Race 1 featuring the GT Supra Gr.4 saw finalists battle each other at Australia’s legendary Mount Panorama circuit – also known as Bathurst. Things kicked off  a 5-minute time attack qualifying ahead of a 15-minute sprint race.

The second challenge saw finalists race across Gran Turismo 7’s famed Tokyo Expressway – East Clockwise layout. Here, racers were positioned using a reversed order of Race 1’s grid positions for a 25-minute sprint using the GR Corolla hot hatch – one of the latest new car additions into the gaming title.

The final Race 3 leg then saw finalists take on the world famous Spa Francorchamps course using the GR010 Hybrid Le Mans Hypercar machine. Once again, a 5-minute time attack qualifying preceded the main race, which was a 35-minute sprint that was made more challenging with dynamic weather settings.

Amongst the cars these 15 finalists got to do battle in included the recently added Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch (top), the GT Supra Gr.4 (above, left), and the Toyota GR010 Hybrid Le Mans Hypercar (above, right).

Across all three legs, finalists earned points not just from the main races, but also through qualifying and setting the fastest lap during each race.

After concluding all three legs, it was Indonesian representative Andika Rama who came out on top after collecting a total of 65 points. Placing second overall with 52 points was Filipino e-sport ace Luis Moreno, whilst Singapore’s Fadtris Isa placed third overall with his haul of 49 points.

As for the Malaysian contingent consisting of Dhanesh Wigneswaran, Chong Kai Chang, and Taj Aiman, this year’s challenge proved tougher than expected. Individually, the trio could only place fourth, eighth, and ninth respectively. Collectively, the trio ranked second overall in the Country Championship standings.

Crowned as champion was Indonesia's Andika Rama, whilst Luis Moreno of the Philippines placed second. Besides trophies and prize money, both also earned their spot in the upcoming Gazoo Racing GT Cup Global Finals 2023 event.

Besides their well-earned trophies, Andika and Luis also each won US$6,000 (approx. RM28,143) and US$3,000 (approx. RM14,072) in prize money. Moreover, both Andika and Luis have also earned their spot in the Gazoo Racing GT Cup Global Finals 2023 event slated for Nov this year in Barcelona, Spain.

Relive all the thrills and spills by watching the live recording of the finals that’s now online via the Toyota Gazoo Racing Asia Facebook page.